Partition strip holddown device



March 14, 1967 F. CUNNINGHAM 3,308,927

PARTITION STRIP HOLDDOWN DEVICE Filed May 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR DONALD F. CUNNINGHAM,

Unit

Staes Patent [ice 3,303,927 PARTITION STRIP HOLDDOWN DEVICE Donald F. Cunningham, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to US. Partition 8; Fackaging Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,726 Claims. (Cl. 198-460) The present invention relates generally to the partition 0r divider assembly manufacturing art, and more particularly to a novel holddown device for preventing longitudinal partition strips from bucking upwardly just prior to movement into the assembly area.

In the partition assembly art, there has long existed the problem with machines which feed successive aligned groups of longitudinal partition strips to the assembly zone of an assembler machine or presenting these longitudinal partition strips to the assembly zone in proper positions for reception of the transverse partition strips. For various causes, a partition strip or two may buck or raise the rear portion as it nears or reaches the end of the feeder machine belt. Sometimes this is due to movement at converging angles of the outer strips. Whatever the cause, since these longitudinal partition strips are moving rapidly, bucking of one or more strips often causes a jam in the assembly zone. Many attempts have been made to eliminate this costly jamming without complete success insofar as the applicant is aware.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a partition strip holddown device which satisfies this long existing need in the partition assembly art.

In brief, the present novel holddown device comprises a traveling frame which adjustably supports a horizontal transversely disposed plate in selected position above the outer end of the continuous longitudinal partition strip feeding belt. The plate is of sufficient width to prevent bucking or other vertical movement of the strips as they leave the strip feeding belt and are advanced by rollers or other means towards the assembly zone.

Hence, another object is to provide a novel holddown device for partition strip feeder machines which has the capacity to function effectively with strips of diiferent heights and lengths.

Another object is to provide a novel holddown device for partition strip feeder machines which can be quickly adjusted back and forth along the feeder belt and which includes a horizontal plate that can be rapidly adjusted vertically.

Another object is to provide a novel holddown device for partition strip feeder machines which can be quickly adjusted to accommodate strips of different heights and lengths while the feeder machine is operating, thereby avoiding shutdown thereof.

Another object is to provide a novel holddown device for partition strip feeder machines which is rugged in construction, thereby giving long trouble-free use, which can be effectively used by operating personnel with minimum instructions, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages thereof.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a holddown device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention shown mounted adjacent the discharge end of a longitudinal partition strip feeding conveyor;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view thereof, partly in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical, transverse, cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of the holddown device, the middle portion being broken away for conservation of space and parts being in section for illustration of details;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical, longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a further enlarged, vertical longitudinal view taken on substantially the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged, vertical transverse view taken at the upper left corner of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a further enlarged, vertical transverse view taken at the upper right corner of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 9 is a further enlarged, vertical transverse view taken on substantially the line 9-9 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 10 is a further enlarged, vertical transverse view taken on substantially the line 1010 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 11 is a further enlarged, horizontal view taken on substantially the line 11-11 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 12 is a further enlarged, vertical transverse view taken on substantially the line 1212 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation view of one of the racks along which the holddown device moves; and

FIGURE 14 is an exploded view of one of the hinge members.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 20 indicates generally a holddown device incorporating the principles of the present invention. Broadly, the holddown device 20 includes an inverted U-shaped traveling frame 22, an elongated holddown plate 24 mounted thereon for vertical adjustment and pivotal movement in respect thereto, and opposed supporting track units 26.

Considering the holddown device 20 in detail, it will be noted that the traveling frame 22 is symmetrical to each side of .a longitudinal center line, except for two operating handwheels 27 and 28. Hence, reference is made below only to one side, the same numerals being applied to both.

Each supporting track unit 26 includes a horizontal base plate 30 which is secured by suitable screws 31 to the top of a channel member 32 supporting one side of the endless conveyor 33 forming part of a partition strip feed mechanism 34 fragmentarily disclosed (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). Secured to the upper face of the plate 30 by screws 36 is an elongated block 37 of generally square cross-section having a channel 38 in the outer side and a rack 39 secured in inset relation in the other side by screws 40. It will be noted that the plate 30 is inset into the bottom of the elongated block 37 of a more rigid relationship.

At each side of the traveling frame 22 is a vertically disposed tube 44 which extends at its lower end through a round opening in a small horizontal plate 45, being welded thereto (FIGS. 4 and 9). Secured to the outer edge of the plate 45 by tap screws 46 is a vertical plate 47 (FIG. 5). Mounted on spaced stub shafts 48 are rollers 49 which are disposed for travel in the channel 38 (FIGS. 4 and 10). Threaded through the plate 47 between the stub shafts 48 is a screw 50 which extends into the channel 38 and receives a compression spring 51, one end of which is in a cup 52 slidable along the channel 38 ('FIG. 9). The spring 51 biases the plate 47 away from the block 37. Rotatably mounted within the tube 44 by upper and lower bearing bushings 54 and 55, respectively, is a shaft 56 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Pinned to the lower end of the shaft 56 is a pinion 57 which engages the rack 39. The spring 51 contributes towards maintaining a snug relationship of the pinion 57 with the rack 39. On the upper end of the shaft 56 is secured the handwheel 27. It is clear that rotation of the handwheel 27 will effect travel of the several elements along the block 37.

There is provided bridging structure for effecting simultaneous rotation of the two opposed shafts 56 and pinions jacent each gear 66 and meshing therewith is a gear 67 which is pinned to a sprocket 68 freely rotatably. mounted 011a stub shaft 69 threaded into the plate and braced by thecover 62. Trained aboutthe sprockets 68 is an endless chain 70. It is manifest that through the foregoing structure rotation of the handwheel 27 will effect movement or' travel of the frame 22 along the track units 26.

The forward portion of each tube 44 is flattened and has secured thereto a rack 74 by screws 75 (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, l1 and 12). Slidably disposed on the tube 44 and about the rack 74 is a block 76 of the configuration shown in FIGURES 1 1 and 12). The forward face of the block 76 is slotted to receive a pinion or gear 77 and includes horizontal semicircular aligned channels which receive one-half of a shaft'79. The pinion 77 is keyed to the shaft 79. Cooperating with the block 76 to hold the shaft 79 is 'acapping block 80 secured to the block 76 by large cap screws 81. The capping block 80 has a slot and, horizontal semicircular aligned channels like those in the block 76 which receive the other halves of the pinion 77 and shaft '79, respectively. Pivotally mounted at 84 to and adjacent the outer side of the block 76 is a split frictional brake member 83 which surrounds the shaft 79. A cap screw 82 is provided to adjust the frictional engagement of the brake member 83 with the shaft 79. The handwheel 28 is secured to one free end of the shaft 79.

A composite arm 85 is mounted on the front of each capping block 80 by the cap screw 81 and extends forwardly therefrom, the two arms-85converging and receiving the holddown plate 24 at their forward ends ('FIGS. 1-4 and 11). Each composite arm 85 includes a vertically disposed base plate 86 disposed against the front of the capping block 80 and firmly held by the cap screws 81.: A first horizontal narrow plate 87 Welded to the lower bottom edge of the plate 86. A reinforcing rib 88 is Welded to the plates 86 and S7. Secured by cap screws to the forward end of the plate 87 is a first hinge member 90-which is pivotally connected to a second hinge member 91 by a hinge pin 92 (FIGS. 1 and 14). The second hinge member 91 is secured by cap screws to the rear end of a second horizontal narrow plate 93 which is connected by cap. screws in supporting relation to the top of the holddown plate 24. In FIGURE 2, the holddown plate 24 is shown in broken. lines in a raised position of, movement which provides ready access to elements and partition strips at the forward end of the endless belt 33.

In FIGURES 2 and 3, the holddown plate 24 is illustrated in operative position for partition strips 95 to pass thereunder. The rear lower edge 97 of the plate 24 is convex to assist passage therebeneath of partition strips 95 (FIG. 2). V

The fragmentarily shown partition strip feed mechanism 34 includes, in addition to the conveyor 33', sets of endless guide and position maintaining belts 100 which travel around grooved spindles 101, the forward group being illustrated. Each set of guide belts 1 80 discharges into a guide unit 102 leading into an assembly mechanism suggested in broken'lines, and disposed adjacent the feed mechanism 34. Such feed and assembly mechanisms are well known in the art.

It is manifest that there has beenprovided a holddown 4 device which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to beunderstood that the foregoing descriptionand the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which Will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1.111 combination, a holddown device for preventing vertical movement of partition strips in a travel segment just prior to entering an assembly zone comprising a frame adapted to spanthe partition strip feeding belt of a partition strip feeder including spaced columns, a

transverse member connecting said columns at the top,

means for mounting said columns at the sidesof a par-.

ber supported by said columns for disposition across a partition strip conveyor belt adjacent the discharge end thereof, and means for adjusting the vertical position of said member, said member including a pivotally mounted partition strip engageable portion which can be moved into inoperative position.

2. In combination, holddown construction for limiting upward movement of moving partition strips comprising an inverted U-shaped frame including spaced legs and a bight of predetermined span, supporting means mounting each leg for movement longitudinally of moving partitions, including a rack and pinion, means for simultaneously rotating said pinions for, effecting simultaneous movement of said legs,-holddown member supporting arms mounted on and extending forwardly from said legs, means mounting each holddown member supporting arm for vertical movement including a rack and pinion, and a holddown member mounted. on said arms.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which eacl1.arm includes a hinge member permitting pivotal movement of said holddown member into inoperative position.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which said rack and pinion are adjustable withoutshutdown of the feeding and assembly operation with which said holddown construction is operatively associated-.

'5. In combination, a holddown device for preventing vertical movement of partition strips in a travel segment just prior to. entering an assembly zone comprising means for limiting vertical movements of a plurality of partition strips for a predetermined segment of travel, means for adjusting the vertical position of said means in respect to partition strips, and means for adjusting the position of said means in relation to the longitudinal travel of par-' UNITED STATES, PATENTS 1,077,432 11/1913 Riebe 27160 2,219,892 10/1940 Gibson 271-49 EVON C. BIJUNK, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Examiner.

It is also to be understood 

1. IN COMBINATION, A HOLDDOWN DEVICE FOR PREVENTING VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF PARTITION STRIPS IN A TRAVEL SEGMENT JUST PRIOR TO ENTERING AN ASSEMBLY ZONE COMPRISING A FRAME ADAPTED TO SPAN THE PARTITION STRIP FEEDING BELT OF A PARTITION STRIP FEEDER INCLUDING SPACED COLUMNS, A TRANSVERSE MEMBER CONNECTING SAID COLUMNS AT THE TOP, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID COLUMNS AT THE SIDES OF A PARTITION STRIP CONVEYOR BELT FOR LIMITED BACK AND FORTH MOVEMENT IN RESPECT THERETO, MEANS FOR EFFECTING SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OF SAID COLUMNS, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL MEMBER SUPPORTED BY SAID COLUMNS FOR DISPOSITION ACROSS A PARTITION STRIP CONVEYOR BELT ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE END THEREOF, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE VERTICAL POSITION OF SAID MEMBER, SAID MEMBER INCLUDING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PARTITION STRIP ENGAGEABLE PORTION WHICH CAN BE MOVED INTO INOPERATIVE POSITION. 